NETHERLANDS/VENEZUELA: AIMING TO BOOST DIALOGUE

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000510 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2018 TAGS: NL PHUM PREL VE SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/VENEZUELA: AIMING TO BOOST DIALOGUE Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Jason Grubb, reasons 1.4 (b,d ) ¶1. (C) Summary: On June 4, Poloff discussed Venezuelan affairs with Dutch MFA Director for the Western Hemisphere Department Laurent Stokvis and Venezuela desk officer Wendy Engelberts. Stokvis discussed the May 27 meeting between Dutch DG for Political Affairs Pieter De Gooijer and Alberto Mueller Rojas, Vice President of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (USPV). De Gooijer and Mueller reviewed Venezuela,s image abroad, improving the bilateral relationship, upcoming Venezuelan elections, and military interactions near Venezuela. Stokvis emphasized that the Dutch need to have open discussions with Venezuela. End summary. ¶2. (C) Venezuela,s image: Rojas said that European media unfairly portrays Venezuela as corrupt and undemocratic. According to Stokvis, Venezuela is "very concerned" about this. Rojas cited Venezuelan elections in recent years as evidence that his nation is a democracy. Radio Caracas Television was not "closed" a year ago; it lost its concession. Finally, Venezuela has "strong relations" across the world. Venezuela wants friendly relations with all countries, and is increasing relations with non-traditional partners, such as Arab states. Rojas added that relations with Colombia are generally good despite the current tension, which can be resolved through dialogue. Venezuela,s support for South American unity under the South American Union (UNASUR),as well as its effort to work with Brazil and other South American nations, demonstrates that regional cooperation is very important to Venezuela. ¶3. (C) Improving the bilateral dialogue: Stokvis emphasized to poloff that opening a clear dialogue between the Netherlands and Venezuela was important to the Dutch. For example, the Netherlands is very concerned about Venezuela,s unilateral renunciation of an investment treaty, which expires November 1. (Note: Rojas agreed to pass on Dutch concerns about this issue to the GOV. End note.) The fact that the GOV MFA now has a director for Europe will make relations easier, but the Dutch believe that they still do not have the same access to GOV officials enjoyed by other European states, such as France, even considering the Netherlands, smaller size. Asked whether De Gooijer raised Venezuela,s human rights or political situation, Stokvis noted in order to open a dialogue, conditions could not be set on discussions, or the GONL would not raise accusations that did not have factual support. Stokvis stressed the need to be a good neighbor to Venezuela while also remaining an ally to the United States. The Netherlands has yet to see concrete evidence of human rights violations and will therefore not ask about the issue. ¶4. (C) Upcoming elections: According to Rojas, the USPV now has 5.7 million members, and President Chavez is confident he will win the election. According to Stokvis, the opposition party is not functioning properly, allowing for Chavez to win by nearly 20 percent in each election. While a new generation of opposition leaders appears to be coming, it does not look likely that Chavez will lose the upcoming election. ¶5. (C) Military interactions: Rojas mentioned that the Forward Operating Location (FOL) in Curacao had hosted F-16s. De Gooijer reportedly shared satellite photos and responded that the bases were primarily for civilian aircraft, and no F-16s were present. Rojas also noted Americans ships docked at Willemstad, but De Gooijer countered that many ships of different nations are permitted to dock in Curacao for rest and recreation. ¶6. (C) U.S. DEA incursion: Stokvis said Rojas also cited the recent DEA flight that crossed into Venezuelan airspace, and Stokvis said that the Dutch hoped that the United States will avoid future incursions. (Note: Poloff emphasized that the incursion was accidental. End note.) Gallagher